Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
require of thee , but to do justly , to love mercy , and lo walk humbly with thy God ? The two former of these precepts comprize every moral , social , and relative duty due from man to man . —The latter relates more immediately to the principle of piety towards God , Avhich should be the grand basis or ground-work on which the beautiful fabric of human virtue , should be built .
I shall therefore change the order in which they are placed in my text , and as 1 design to offer some animadversions on each , I shall begin with the' religious duty—the duty of piety toAvards God . But the necessity of this injunction is so A'ery clear , that , in a Christian assembly , I shall have the less occasion to be diffusive on this head . . Nor need I detain you by a long chain of argumentto prove that there
, is a God . Universal nature loudly proclaims the important , awful truth , in a language , which cannot be misunderstood , and which conveys conviction to every intelligent mind . And if the mind is thus convinced of the existence of a supreme eternal being , it cannot but be persuaded of his attributes . —That he is almighty in poAver , and infinite in goodness—That his wisdom , justiceand purity are
commen-, surate with each other ; and that he should be , consequently , the great object of our adoration , reverence , and love . . The mind ' which is fully convinced of this must necessarily be disposed and resolved to act in a manner most pleasing to the supreme
ruler of the universe from a principal or piety ; for without piety there can be no real virtue . They who aspire at the name of good , without any regard to this principle , are far , very far , from deserving that exalted title , and render themselves incapable of enjoying the true delig hts of virtue . These must flow from God ' s approving smile . There will be found in the course of this state of existence , seasons of adversitywhen no reflections can support usbut a confidence in
, , the supreme father of the universe . The satisfaction which proceeds from moral actions may perhaps appear sufficient , when all is smooth and prosperous ; but it is not of itself adequate to the support of the trembling ' soul in . the dark hour of misfortune , or at that aAvful-period when ibis mortal must put on immortality * . Indeedthe principle of piety is that source from which all the
du-, ties of morality—justice , beneA'olence , and charity , must derive their origin . For to attempt to effect a reformation in the minds and lives of men , and to give virtue a footing in the Avorld , without the aid of relig ious and pious principles , is to raise a fabric in the air , or , as our Lord speaks , " to build a house upon the sand . " For Avhat security can we have for propriety of conduct in the different orders of society ,
for the fidelity of servants , the obedience of children , the performance and observance ot : those civil and relative duties which are absolutely essential to the peace , comfort , and happiness of our ordinary life , if men have all religious awe , and all the deference due to religious obligations , wholly eradicated from their minds , ancl so to " live as-with-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
require of thee , but to do justly , to love mercy , and lo walk humbly with thy God ? The two former of these precepts comprize every moral , social , and relative duty due from man to man . —The latter relates more immediately to the principle of piety towards God , Avhich should be the grand basis or ground-work on which the beautiful fabric of human virtue , should be built .
I shall therefore change the order in which they are placed in my text , and as 1 design to offer some animadversions on each , I shall begin with the' religious duty—the duty of piety toAvards God . But the necessity of this injunction is so A'ery clear , that , in a Christian assembly , I shall have the less occasion to be diffusive on this head . . Nor need I detain you by a long chain of argumentto prove that there
, is a God . Universal nature loudly proclaims the important , awful truth , in a language , which cannot be misunderstood , and which conveys conviction to every intelligent mind . And if the mind is thus convinced of the existence of a supreme eternal being , it cannot but be persuaded of his attributes . —That he is almighty in poAver , and infinite in goodness—That his wisdom , justiceand purity are
commen-, surate with each other ; and that he should be , consequently , the great object of our adoration , reverence , and love . . The mind ' which is fully convinced of this must necessarily be disposed and resolved to act in a manner most pleasing to the supreme
ruler of the universe from a principal or piety ; for without piety there can be no real virtue . They who aspire at the name of good , without any regard to this principle , are far , very far , from deserving that exalted title , and render themselves incapable of enjoying the true delig hts of virtue . These must flow from God ' s approving smile . There will be found in the course of this state of existence , seasons of adversitywhen no reflections can support usbut a confidence in
, , the supreme father of the universe . The satisfaction which proceeds from moral actions may perhaps appear sufficient , when all is smooth and prosperous ; but it is not of itself adequate to the support of the trembling ' soul in . the dark hour of misfortune , or at that aAvful-period when ibis mortal must put on immortality * . Indeedthe principle of piety is that source from which all the
du-, ties of morality—justice , beneA'olence , and charity , must derive their origin . For to attempt to effect a reformation in the minds and lives of men , and to give virtue a footing in the Avorld , without the aid of relig ious and pious principles , is to raise a fabric in the air , or , as our Lord speaks , " to build a house upon the sand . " For Avhat security can we have for propriety of conduct in the different orders of society ,
for the fidelity of servants , the obedience of children , the performance and observance ot : those civil and relative duties which are absolutely essential to the peace , comfort , and happiness of our ordinary life , if men have all religious awe , and all the deference due to religious obligations , wholly eradicated from their minds , ancl so to " live as-with-